A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the authorities again.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
